Hackers hit Carroll County Sheriff’s Department computer system

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Department paid a ransom after its computer system was hacked this month.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Lt. Daniel Klatt says the department’s system was hit Dec. 5 with ransomware, which typically works by encrypting files until the victim pays the hackers, often in the electronic currency bitcoin.

Klatt says the department paid three bitcoin – or about $2,400 – to unlock the computer system. The hackers encrypted the department’s management system, which holds reports, bookings and other day-to-day operational data.

Klatt says none of the data was stolen and the county’s computer system’s was back up on Monday.